If you’re like me, you love spending time in your yard, but maybe not so much… seeing everything in your neighbor’s yard. I get it! I had this exact problem for years.
That’s why I’m obsessed with finding the perfect privacy plants. These green wonders can add shade, block views, and just make your yard feel so much more beautiful and pulled together.
We’ve got 19 amazing options, and don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb. I’ve got some fantastic artificial alternatives in here too.
1. Cypress Trees
Is there anything more elegant than a Cypress tree? I just love that tall, stately shape. Because they grow so tall and skinny, they are absolutely perfect for planting in a row to create a screen, just like in that gorgeous patio space.
A really popular one is the Leyland Cypress. The only thing you need to know is that it has a shorter life, maybe 10 to 20 years. So just make sure you do your homework and weigh the cost and upkeep against how long it’ll last. It’s always smart to research your investment!
2. Ivy
Ivy is just a fantastic privacy plant. Why? It grows super fast and is so easy to take care of. It will cover a fence or wall in no time, creating a really effective barrier to block noise and nosy neighbors.
My favorite part? It’s evergreen, so you get that lush foliage all year long for maximum privacy. It’s also incredibly versatile.
You can grow it in sun or shade, and it’s really easy to trim into any shape you want. It just adds such a beautiful, natural vibe to any outdoor space.
3. Lilac
I love the idea of planting a row of lilacs! Can you imagine how amazing that would smell? Those fragrant bushes create such a beautiful and vibrant privacy hedge.
All those colorful blooms would be a gorgeous addition to any yard. The one big thing to remember is they need lots of sun. So if your area is shady, you might want to pick something else.
You’ll also want to prune them every year to clear out any dead or damaged branches. This keeps them healthy and helps them flower.
4. Artificial Boxwood
Okay, let’s talk about a total game-changer: artificial boxwood. If you need thick, lush, and tall coverage right now, this is the perfect solution.
I mean, who has time to cultivate those perfectly sculpted hedges? That takes so much time and money!
These hedges don’t require any of that maintenance. They’re often made from a high-quality polyurethane that has UV protection and are even hand-assembled.
You can find them as tiles to attach to a wood base, or as full hedges you can bolt to planters for a really clean, modern look. Just do your research! Be ready for it to fade over time, so you know exactly what you’re getting for your investment.
5. Photinia
What I love about Photinia is that it gives you so much coverage. Plus, those rich, glossy leaves just add a ton of visual interest to your yard. It’s an evergreen shrub and is often used for privacy screens.
I’ve seen it alternated with Dodonaea, which looks amazing. You can let it get all full and bushy, or you can trim and cultivate it.
If you do trim it, it can be a really eye-catching way to add interest, especially with a fence or wall behind it. Just remember to prune it regularly to keep it healthy and thriving!
6. Hicks Yew
Hicks Yew isn’t flashy, but it’s such a smart, sensible choice for a living fence or privacy screen. It’s really low-maintenance and creates a wonderful evergreen backdrop for the rest of your yard.
I also love its soft needles and the little winter berries it gets. It’s a fast favorite for backyard wildlife!
7. Cacti
This might not be the first thing you think of, but cacti can create such sculptural, modern fencing. It’s a really unexpected twist!
I read about the Mexican Fence Post cactus, which landowners in Mexico actually used to mark their property lines. How cool is that?
It’s really the perfect solution for hot, dry climates where they grow naturally. There’s just nothing like the modern feeling you get from a row of cacti, especially when they’re 20 feet tall and enhancing a home’s architecture.
If you want to go artificial, it might be hard to find one that tall, but you can find smaller ones like a 31-inch fake cactus that would be perfect for a balcony or window.
8. Climbing Roses
Climbing roses are just an excellent choice. They grow so quickly and give you a ton of coverage. They also come in a huge range of colors, shapes, and sizes, so I guarantee you can find the perfect one to fit your yard.
And those fragrant blooms! They add such a beautiful touch to any garden. They’re also minimal maintenance and you can train them to climb along walls or fences for a really pretty, aesthetically pleasing look.
With just a little care, climbing roses can give you a lush and colorful privacy wall for years.
9. Japanese Holly
Here’s another great one if you want results fast. Japanese Holly multiplies quickly and it’s evergreen, which means it keeps its leaves all year. Love that. It can get up to 10 feet tall, so it offers a really dense, lush barrier between you and your neighbors.
It’s also pretty low-maintenance and can tolerate all kinds of soils and climates. Plus, that bright green foliage is so attractive and adds a really nice decorative element to your landscaping.
10. Bamboo
Let’s start with bamboo. This might not be the first thing you think of for privacy, but I bet I can change your mind! It adds amazing height and a really modern style to any outdoor space.
Below, you can see how a row of it creates a gorgeous poolside wall of green. But what about it being invasive and hard to manage? Well, not all bamboo is like that!
While some types can get out of control fast, you can try Fargesia bamboos. They have clumping roots and grow slower than the unruly ones.
There are so many perks to Fargesia. It’s fast-growing, evergreen, and hardy, even in the cold! If you’re still worried, you can always go artificial. It can’t invade if it’s not real! Why not line your yard with some artificial bamboo plants?
11. Euonymus
Euonymus shrubs are a great option and they come in so many sizes and colors, like green, gold, and even variegated types. This is a tall and sturdy shrub that can tolerate all kinds of weather and even poor soil.
If you plant them close together, they can serve as a really lush hedge. But I also love that you can prune them into a tree shape, which makes a big impact.
12. Cherry Laurel
Cherry Laurel is a fantastic evergreen shrub or small tree. It’s native to the southeastern US and grows pretty quickly, reaching anywhere from 15 to 36 feet tall! In the early spring, it shows off these small clusters of creamy white flowers.
Because it can get up to 30 feet, it’s an ideal choice for a tall hedge or screen. And since it’s evergreen, it provides that awesome year-round coverage.
It’s also relatively low-maintenance, so you won’t have to worry about pruning or fertilizing it too often. Plus, it’s very hardy, so it can handle different climates and soil types.
13. Arborvitae
There’s something really unique about the feel of Arborvitae, with its clustered, textured greenery. I often see this tree layered with other plants, like Boxwood.
In the picture below, you can see how lush a garden looks with manicured evergreen shrubs and trees. See the Arborvitae growing tall right behind the Boxwood? So pretty. If you’re thinking about planting Arborvitae, it’s really important to research the best variety for your yard.
My favorite is the Emerald Green Arborvitae. It’s a great choice for four-season privacy and will eventually get 12 to 15 feet tall.
14. Hydrangea
Hydrangea plants are just a great addition to any yard. They can get up to 8 feet tall and 8 feet wide! If you plant a few in a row, it creates a totally stunning focal point. Those cone-shaped blooms are also a great way to keep your garden private.
The only thing to keep in mind is that these beautiful plants lose their leaves in the fall. So you might want to consider pairing them with other hedge plants to make sure you have year-round coverage.
15. Fan Palm
I love the tropical look of Fan Palms! They are fast-growing, super easy to maintain, and can reach up to 20 feet. That thick foliage provides an excellent natural barrier between spaces.
And those fan-shaped leaves create such a unique, tropical vibe that can add a beautiful aesthetic to any garden. It’s also very hardy and can withstand all kinds of weather conditions, making it a really great choice.
16. Boxwood
Boxwood is an ideal evergreen choice, especially if you want to keep your plants in pots and planters. You can try using tall, slender containers to add some height, and then sculpt the boxwood. It makes for a privacy screen with a really bold, manicured statement!
Of course, boxwood is also a lovely option for planting in the ground. It adds that classic English garden charm when you trim it into spheres or hedges. If height isn’t a huge factor for your screen, you don’t have to wait for it to grow tall to get the results you want.
17. Italian Buckthorn
We’re still on the evergreen shrub kick! You should definitely consider Italian Buckthorn for your privacy needs. This shrub grows pretty quickly in the early spring, and its upright shape makes it ideal for screens.
Because it’s taller than it is wide, it’s perfect for placing in front of walls or other structures that don’t need total coverage. I mean, why would you want to completely hide a colorful wall like that purple one?
If you love that idea of showing off a wall, you could really use any artificial plant you want! I love the idea of placing a few artificial dracaenas in front of a pop of color.
18. Privet
This is so important to remember: tall, lush hedges (even the fast-growing ones) can take years to cultivate. They just don’t grow 15 feet overnight!
But if you have time to be patient, it is so worth the wait to get a private space like the one in this picture. Privet is the plant they used in this stunning outdoor area. When you’re planting greenery like Privet, think about the needs of your space to maximize the plant’s growing potential.
You need to carefully plan out your screen and research the proper spacing for each plant. I always recommend consulting an expert, like a landscaper or a knowledgeable employee at your local nursery.
19. Vines
Okay, let’s wrap up with vines! If you have a fence with gaps (in other words, a not-so-private fence), a good climbing vine is a great solution. It adds both privacy and beauty to your yard. One option is Clematis, which grows quickly and has those beautiful blooms.
But be aware: this vine needs dedicated pruning to keep it from growing completely out of control. So if you want a fast grower, Clematis is a good trick, but be ready to keep it in check. In contrast, plants like Confederate Jasmine are slower growers.
It can take years to cover a fence, but it provides solid, hardy evergreen growth with a huge payoff. It’s beautiful all year and smells amazing in the spring or summer. This plant is perfect for balconies, patios, trellises, and chain-link fences.
In case you were wondering, this is the exact plant I chose to cover the fence in my backyard. It didn’t block the view of my neighbor’s junk right away, but boy did it grow lovelier each year. Totally worth the wait.
Which of today’s featured privacy plants would you consider for your outdoor space? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below…
